Akron SCORE, the free mentoring program for new and existing businesses, will offer nine workshops this month — including two sessions of the comprehensive Simple Steps program.
The workshops offer practical guidance to help new businesses get started and existing businesses improve their operations and profitability.
Classes will meet at the Taylor Institute for Direct Marketing in the University of Akron’s Polsky Building unless noted:
Tuesday: Introduction to Intellectual Property, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the main Akron-Summit County Public Library.
Wednesday: Starting Your Own Business, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Midpoint Campus Center in Brunswick.
Thursday: Starting Your Own Business, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday: Introduction to Patents and Patent Searching, 10:15 a.m. to noon at the main Akron-Summit County Public Library.
Sept. 21: Simple Steps for Starting Your Business, six-week series continuing each Wednesday until Oct. 26, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sessions include one-on-one counseling to evaluate new business ideas; attendees must agree to attend all six sessions.
Sept. 22: Fundamentals of Writing a Business Plan, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 29: Fundamentals of Financial Management, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Marketing Techniques for Success, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
All are conducted by professional counselors certified by SCORE, the nonprofit Small Business Administration-affiliated organization. The workshops focused on intellectual property and patents are co-sponsored by the Akron-Summit County Public Library.
Additional workshop details are available on the SCORE website at www.akron.score.org. Individuals and companies interested in attending can register at the website or by calling 330-379-3163.